Inslee: Pierce Deputies Cannot Objectively Review Ellis' Death

TACOMA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee says that the Pierce County Sheriff's Office should not complete their investigation into the death of Manuel Ellis, and that a new investigation must be made without any involvement from Pierce County law enforcement. At the same time, the second, independent review into Ellis' death being conducted by Washington State Patrol may also be in jeopardy.

When anyone is killed by police, it is standard protocol for a separate law enforcement agency to be called in to independently investigate that death and determine if it was justified. After Ellis was killed being restrained by Tacoma Police officers, Pierce County deputies were routinely called to independently investigate that death. But Inslee says, he's now learned that Pierce County deputies were on scene when Ellis died, and as a result their investigation contains a significant conflict of interest.

Inslee released a statement explaining his decision Wednesday:

“I have become convinced that the Pierce County Sheriff should not complete the investigation of the death of Manuel Ellis and the county prosecutor should not review the investigation and make charging decisions. Instead, there must be a new investigation and charging decision made independent of Pierce County law enforcement.

I came to this conclusion in consultation with Attorney General Bob Ferguson after the county prosecutor informed the state late yesterday that the Pierce County Sheriff’s department had officers at the scene when Mr. Ellis was detained and died. In light of this new information, the county prosecutor believes that she has an irreconcilable conflict that would preclude her office from handling this case. "

Ellis died on March 3, while being restrained by four Tacoma Police officers. His death sparked outrage at the time, which has been recently reignited when the Pierce County Medical Examiner determined that Ellis was killed because of the way officers restrained him, and ruled his death a homicide.

In the days following the homicide ruling, Tacoma city leaders unanimously called for a second independent review into Ellis' death, which Gov. Inslee granted. But now, that second review may also be called into question.

Inslee placed the Washington State Patrol in charge of the independent review, but has learned that, like Pierce County Sheriff's Deputies, there was also a state trooper on scene when Ellis was killed.

“Separately, we were informed that a Washington State Patrol trooper responded to a call for assistance and was at the scene briefly while Mr. Ellis was in custody and still alive. The patrol is obtaining details from that trooper," writes Inslee. "At this point we are working to determine who will conduct the independent investigation and who will make charging decisions."

The governor says Washington is committed to making sure that both the independent investigation and the independent review of that investigation are truly free of bias, and they are working to find a solution that does not present any conflict of interest.

Inslee ended his statement apologizing to Ellis' family for the delays and difficulties they have faced waiting for this case to close.

"I want to offer my apologies to Mr. Ellis’ family who now will have to wait longer for the fair and thorough investigation this case demands and which they deserve," said Inslee.

Shortly after Inslee's announcement, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards also released a statement echoing Inslee's calls for a truly independent review and expressing her remorse to Ellis' family:

A full and independent investigation into this homicide still remains our paramount goal, and I am deeply troubled that the Ellis family will now endure additional delays while we all await a thorough accounting of the facts. We strongly concur with the Governor and Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney that this new information mandates that an independent agency other than the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department conduct a new investigation of the entire event.

Read more:

• Medical Examiner Rules Manuel Ellis' Death Homicide
• Woodards Calls For Firing Of Officers Involved In Ellis' Death
• Tacoma Unanimously Votes For Review Of Manuel Ellis' Death